Main Menu

MMAFightCorner.com: Joining us on the Fight Corner is number one UFC heavyweight contender, Alistair Overeem-fresh off his win with Brock Lesnar recently back in December. There’s a fight coming up with Junior Dos Santos this May. Alistair we want to welcome you to the show. How are you doing today?

Alistair Overeem: I’m good, just recently starting to train again and training is going well. I just made a connection to Miami to sign with Authentic Sports Management.

MMAFightCorner.com: What does Authentic Sports Management have to offer that the other agencies do not?

Alistair Overeem: Basically, America is the main market. MMA is booming over there, UFC is doing a great job at promoting the sport. The focus is America and you’ve got to be there, you got to be on the ground, and you’ve got to do the promotion-the PR, you’ve got to show your face. The fights are all there and that means you’ve got to expand. I recognized this some time ago and after the Brock fight I toured the states-LA and Vegas. I met with a lot of people, managers, visited a lot of gyms. I came into a long, healthy, positive discussion with Glenn Robinson of ASM Management. They already signed a several other fighters of which I knew a couple. Based on their references also, I had a good conversation which led to me signing with ASM Management.

MMAFightCorner.com: You’ve decided to join the Florida team known as the “Blackzillians”. What led you to this choice and what do you think it will do for your fight game?

Alistair Overeem: I already have a personal management team, but of course they are based in Holland and in the states. I could use a little bit more professionalism in that field so I was looking for partners who knew what they were doing and who could help me advance my brand in the states. ASM Management has everything I need to expand, this goes from sparring partners, trainers, training facilities, legal advice, business advice. Everything-you name it, they got. I like the way they handle things.

MMAFightCorner.com: Is this going to be a permanent move or a temporary move? Will you be moving and living in Florida full-time?

Alistair Overeem: I travel around a lot. I do television appearances in Japan, I’ve got a base in Dubai. Of course, I’m still based out of Holland, but America is the future and I’m committed to the states so I’m guessing this is going to be a permanent move-I’ll be based out of America, but I’ll still be flying around doing all the PR and travel.

MMAFightCorner.com: What camps did you visit before you made your final decision?

Alistair Overeem: I’ve been to American Top Team-Miami, Team Takedown. I’ve been to several gyms in Vegas and all the gyms in LA. I had a very nice connection to Reign MMA in LA. I’ve been to San Diego. So basically the southern parts of the states. I don’t like snow so it had to be in the south states. I think I got a good find in Miami.

MMAFightCorner.com: Are your legal woes affect your training or mental for world championship fight like you have coming up?

Alistair Overeem: No, not at all. Everything is under control, we’re on top of everything. I get my weekly email of what’s going on and that allows me to focus on training.

MMAFightCorner.com: What’s your game plan going into the fight with Junior Dos Santos?

Alistair Overeem: The game plan is good to go, I already know how to beat him. It’s just a matter of training and getting my body and mind in the 100% condition that it needs to be in and it’s going to turn out perfectly-just fine.

MMAFightCorner.com: What holes in his game will you try to expose?

Alistair Overeem: Every fight style has holes-Dos Santos has them too. I don’t want to give away the surprise, but you’re going to see it.

MMAFightCorner.com: What part of your game are you looking to improve on the most?

Alistair Overeem: I’ll be improving every facet of the game. My striking is top notch, but I’ll be improving that as we go, wrestling, Brazilian jujitsu, and sparring. I expect to be growing in every aspect of the game.

MMAFightCorner.com: What are your thoughts on Junior Dos Santos as a fighter?

Alistair Overeem: I believe he’s a great fighter. I believe he’s got great hands-great boxing. He’s a clever fighter and has a great team around him. I see the Brazilian’s as gifted, clever, dedicated, hardworking people who a lot of time come with a surprise-so don’t underestimate the Brazilian’s.

MMAFightCorner.com: In your fight with Brock, did you thin he would bring a little bit more into the fight?

Alistair Overeem: I know the impact of my knees. I think he took five direct impacts and then a liver kick. I know that one accurately placed knee is a knock out so that’s a lot of good shots. It’s so easy to say after the fight if somebody’s performance was disappointing. I think certain fans do that, but I think fighters realize all the hard work and preparation that went into it. I think Brock was 100%, he did cut me on the eye with a hard jab. I think it’s a little bit short-minded to say he wasn’t there to fight.

MMAFightCorner.com: If you beat Dos Santos in May, who would your rather face Cain Velasquez or Frank Mir?

Alistair Overeem: I don’t have a preference. I’ll fight anybody they put in front of me. I’m a fighter, I want to fight a lot. That being said, I’m also ready to beat anybody.

MMAFightCorner.com: Is there anything you’d like to say to the UFC fans-here in Vegas and in the United States?

Alistair Overeem: Stay tuned, there’s more to come. AlistairOvereem.com. Thank you for your support. I had a great welcome in the UFC, the fans were just great to me and I love you guys.

MMAFightCorner.com: We want to wish you all the best in your fight coming up in May against Junior Dos Santos.